Strategic Giving Advisor

Access Fund is seeking a skilled one-on-one fundraiser who is passionate about our mission and possesses strong interpersonal and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will thrive on the opportunity to support and partner with donors who share our passion for climbing and caring for the land for current and future generations. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Strategic Giving Advisor will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, and nurturing relationships with existing and prospective donors across the country. The person in this position will help lead and innovate Access Fund’s donor cultivation and stewardship practices. 

The candidate will ideally be located within commuting distance of Access Fund’s office in Boulder, Colorado, but remote candidates will be considered. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. Access Fund will begin reviewing applications on Tuesday, July 5.

Job Responsibilities

75% - Major Donor Engagement and Solicitation

• Develop an annual major donor fundraising and stewardship program, ensuring best practices and innovation in how Access Fund brings donors closer to the organization.

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and nurture a growing personal portfolio of donors across the country, increasing Access Fund’s ability to connect with and educate climbers about sustainable access and conservation of outdoor climbing environments.

• Work closely with and support the Executive Director in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of his portfolio of the highest priority major donors, charitable foundations, and other major supporters.

• Schedule one-on-one meetings, video calls, phone calls, or email check-ins with donors to keep them informed and engaged.

• Plan and travel to 3-4 donor activation events per year, creating meaningful experiences for connection to new and existing donors.

• Advance and deepen Access Fund’s planned giving program.

• Collaborate with the Philanthropy and Marketing teams to develop a strategic annual communication cadence with targeted outreach efforts.

• Draft and distribute individualized major gift proposals, acknowledgments, and updates.

• Create, track, and maintain donor profiles, activities, acknowledgment, and documentation consistently and accurately within Salesforce.

10% - Foundation Relations

• Manage a limited portfolio of private and/or government funders, including prospecting, soliciting, reporting, and stewardship.

• Collaborate with Executive Director and Director of Philanthropy to ensure the foundation program's strategic direction and success.

10% - Philanthropic Planning, Tracking, and Analysis

• Work in partnership with the Director of Philanthropy and fundraising team to develop annual revenue and fundraising targets and strategies.

• Proactively track and report on real-time giving and data trends from major donors and charitable foundations in Salesforce.

• Report quarterly on fundraising initiatives and revenue targets.

5% - Staff and Board Support and Partnership

• Partnering with the Director of Philanthropy, work with the Programs team to identify, develop, and execute project-specific fundraising campaigns with a focus on charitable foundations and major donors.

• Work closely with staff and board of directors to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors and philanthropic opportunities.

• Keep Access Fund staff and board educated and engaged on the latest developments within the philanthropy field.

Skills and Experiences We’re Looking For

Not meeting all the requirements but still feel like you’d be a great fit? Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered. Tell us how you can contribute to our team in a cover letter.

• A four-year degree or equivalent work experience.

• Ability to work a consistent 40-hour week, with the flexibility to travel and work nights/weekends for donor engagement events.

• Four or more years of donor relations experience for a nonprofit, soliciting gifts of $5,000 to $100,000+.

• Experience managing giving from private and/or government foundations.

• Be comfortable meeting new people, connecting with others, and speaking to groups.

• Demonstrated proficiency with technology and an ability to use a CRM database. Salesforce experience is a plus.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Detail-oriented and possessing solid project management skills.

• Passion for and understanding of, or willingness to learn, JEDI principles as applied to the work of nonprofit and community organizations. 

• Understanding and interest in technical rock climbing and the work of protecting America’s outdoor climbing areas. 

• Satisfactory completion of a background check.

• Proof of current COVID-19 vaccination or qualified exemption. 

Essential Job Functions

• Travel by air and vehicle (5-6 times a year for donor activations, staff retreats, and events)

• Attend events for 4+ hours at a time